WASHINGTON — Earlier this week, we looked at the very sporty Audi S3 with its nearly 300 hp and AWD. It’s a fast, sporty small sedan that makes you want to go too fast. The A3 with TDI gives you the same basic look of a handsome sedan, but it’s guilt-free when it comes to fuel economy.
There are also two more versions of the Audi A3, one with 1.8T and another with 2.0T turbo gas engines, but the A3 TDI is the one if you’re looking for maximum range from a tank of fuel.
The Audi A3, redesigned for 2015, is considered the entry-level car for Audi. But after two weeks with the S3 and the A3 TDI, they don’t really feel like entry-level cars inside. The exterior styling reminds me of smaller version of the A4.
The Audi A3 TDI has a starting price of $32,600, and if you want to spec out your ride like my tester, plan on spending $43,295 — not a small sum for a small luxury sedan. Most of that extra money goes to the Prestige model, which adds many options such as larger wheels, heated front seats, NAV with voice control and a good-sounding Bang & Olufsen sound system. Even the exterior gets some help from the $8,450 package with the S-line exterior, which looks more like the sporty S3 model.
The big reason to look at the A3 TDI is fuel economy, and the diesel engine doesn’t disappoint. I beat the sticker, managing 38.2 mpg over 240 miles of mixed driving whereas the sticker claims 36. If I had more highway time, I’m sure I would have gotten over 40 mpg for the week. Just know that diesel is more expensive than regular fuel — more in line with the cost of premium fuel.
The turbo diesel is rated at 150 hp and a healthy 236 pounds of torque. It wasn’t the fastest car I’ve driven, but it does a good job of keeping up with traffic. The engine is pretty quiet, so it doesn’t really draw too much attention to itself like diesels of just a few years back.
The ride is a bit more relaxed than the S3. It takes bumps really well and it comes off as a more sedate small luxury sedan. The handling is pretty good, but you can tell that the diesel engine is pretty heavy upfront when you really push this car. But the A3 TDI shines on long rides without stops. It will outlast you before needing to stop for fuel. The cabin noise is pretty low — an added bonus with this small entry-level luxury sedan. Just don’t expect to store too much in the small trunk.
The A3 TDI might not be a track star like its S3 brother, but it’s a good commuter and looks good doing it. With handsome styling, good gas mileage and a decent starting price, the new A3 TDI is a worthy alternative to the regular-gas small entry-level luxury sedans out there. It strikes a nice balance between a sporty sedan and a fuel-efficient eco model.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
